Voices of past presidents: Woodsworth College Students’ Association turns 50

By David Goldberg

The Woodsworth College Students’ Association (WCSA) has been a central part of student life since the college’s founding 50 years ago, building leaders, shaping worldviews and promoting community involvement. Three former and recent presidents reflect on their WCSA journeys, guiding the organization through an important era in the college’s history, and why they believe students should get involved.

Andrew Gallant, HBA ‘21
(President 2020-21)
Majors: Criminology and Political Science

How did you first become involved with WCSA?

My first interaction with WCSA happened before I started university. During a summer introduction event, I met some upper-year students from the organization who offered mentorship and insight about life at U of T. That fall, I was elected to represent Woodsworth College Residence, which opened the door to several leadership positions throughout my undergraduate degree. I served as associate of social affairs for WCSA in my second year, vice-president of internal affairs in my third year and as president.

Reflecting on your year as WCSA president, which of your team’s accomplishments are you most proud of?

I served as president during the pandemic, which was a challenging time for everyone, but I’m very proud of how our team adapted, and worked to engage students remotely. I am particularly proud of how our team used our resources to promote equity during an extraordinarily challenging time. We started the 2020 WCSA Community Engagement Award by reallocating student fees that could not be spent normally during COVID-19. The scholarship is for Black or Indigenous students, as well as those who have engaged in LGBTQ2S+ issues and have shown community involvement at Woodsworth College and U of T.

How did your time in WCSA shape you personally and professionally?

My time in WCSA gave me a level of responsibility I hadn’t experienced before and really helped me grow as a person. It was my first exposure to advocacy work, which has been invaluable in my path to becoming a lawyer. The leadership, teamwork and communication skills I developed in student government have had a lasting impact on my career and personal growth. Student politics is a team sport and none of my successes would have been possible without the support of our partners in Woodsworth’s administration, and the efforts of my incredible executive team: Dave Lio, Andrea Chiapetta, Setareh Malekian Naeini, Emma Simon, Aashna Gupta and Jessica Underwood.

Jessica Johnson, HBA ‘23
(President 2022-23)
Majors: Political science and philosophy

What led you to get involved with WCSA during your time at Woodsworth College?

I got to know everyone on WCSA leadership by attending orientation week and other events in my first year, but I really got involved with the executive during second year when everything moved online during the pandemic. The team did an amazing job of keeping people connected and I saw my opportunity to make a difference as equity commissioner, ensuring our virtual events were accessible or could be attended by international students across multiple time zones.

What are your favourite memories from your time as president?

I'm incredibly proud of how we brought back in-person activities after the pandemic. We started reintroducing our most popular events like orientation week and the annual ski trip, which we organized despite having little experience due to the years of lockdown. In another significant achievement, WCSA became the first students’ association among the colleges at U of T to add a director of Indigenous students to its executive leadership team.

What’s your advice to current students about the value of getting involved with WCSA?

WCSA is a unique community, especially since Woodsworth was originally created to support part-time and mature students. There's truly a place for everyone and it's great to have that extra support during your undergraduate time when life can be overwhelming and stressful. Whether you attend a few events, join a committee that meets once a month or take a larger role in the executive, WCSA will enhance your university experience.

Soban Atique, HBA, ‘24
(President 2023-24)
Majors: Criminology and political science
Tell us about your involvement with WCSA and your progression to becoming president.

I was eager to join from the beginning when I ran for director of first-year students, but I lost by one vote! Undeterred, I joined the social ad hoc committee, which was a casual way to get involved. The next year, I was director of orientation week as well as the services and initiatives assistant, and in third year I was vice-president of internal affairs before being elected president in my last year.

What were the key achievements during your presidency?

Our team was incredibly active, hosting a record 50 events in one year, from cultural celebrations like Diwali and Chinese New Year to social gatherings for rock climbing and Blue Jays games. I'm also proud of our financial support initiatives including this year’s founding of the Wolfpack Community Service Award. The $50,000 endowment with annual income supporting student scholarships is given to someone who has made a significant contribution to the college and their fellow students. We also started a food insecurity program and reintroduced the weekly pancake breakfast, a tradition that had been paused by the pandemic.

What advice would you give to students who want to get involved in student government?

Giving back is important. Nobody looks back and says, ‘I should have given back less.’ As a commuter student, I knew I could always go to Woodsworth College and there would be someone for me — a professor or staff member to talk to, a couch to rest on or a microwave to warm up my food. Volunteering with WCSA in any capacity will give you a sense of belonging, and once you experience student government, you’ll never want to go back.